In the midst of World War II, the neighbors on Beech Road are practicing a blackout drill in case of an air raid. Because their street is a few miles out of hearing range for the sirens, they have implemented a system of house calls and visits to notify everyone. Ted Cosgrove, the air-raid warden, first calls Clark Dabney and his wife, and they call their own list of people. Clark has called all the families on his list except for one, the Werners. They are German refugees who moved in a few weeks ago to work for the nearby university. From Clark’s perspective, the Werners are an uptight and formal couple who always have a complaint to make about the way things are done. When he calls them, Dr. Werner answers and whispers that he heard the sirens. He also questions why he is being called when the air-raid warden should be patrolling and telling him in person. Clark tries to explain that they are too far out for everyone to hear the sirens, but Dr. Werner insists that it is a breach of protocol and must be reported. Clark tells Ted about Dr. Werner’s complaints, and he angrily curses out the German man. Clark reminds him that the doctor is only here because he refused to comply with Hitler. When the next air raid drill is organized a few weeks later, Ted brings Clark to Dr. Werner’s house to be his “witness.” The car lights have been left on, and Ted brings Dr. Werner outside to show him. Dr. Werner cannot believe his mistake and apologizes profusely, but Ted insists that the law requires him to report it. When they leave his house, Clark asks Ted if he will actually report it. He also inquires who actually turned on the car lights. Ted leaves both questions unanswered.